Anxiety can happen to the best of us, but when it happens to your pet, it can be extremely troublesome. Your dog may have anxiety over a number of things, including car rides, going to the veterinarian, being alone, or loud noises. If your dog has any of these anxiety triggers, there may be things you can do to help ease this anxiety and simultaneously help you as well. Read on for tips to help you deal with your dog's anxiety.
Take Your Dog For Short Car Rides
Take your dog for short car rides more often to help ease fears over getting into the car. Your dog may not necessarily have a fear of getting into the car and going for a ride, it may simply be that the only place you ever take it to is the veterinarian's office. If this is the case, try taking your dog to the dog park or to some other park for a walk, or take your dog to a beach or lake of some sort. Try making the car rides a bit more fun for your dog by ending it with a fun destination.
Give Your Dog Treats For Going To The Veterinarian
If you are taking your dog to the veterinarian's office, give your dog a lot of praise and treats as you go along on the trip. Give your dog a treat when you get to the clinic, as well as praise. Give your dog tiny bite-size treats when in the clinic's waiting area and offer praise. Then give your dog another treat when in the office and after as well. Be sure they are tiny, training treats, or other pets in the clinic may be wanting the treats as well.
Leave Your Dog In The Care Of Someone Your Dog Knows
If your dog has anxiety about you leaving, such as for vacation, be sure you leave your dog in the care of someone your dog knows already, or someone that you know will take good care of it. Your dog is going to want some extra time with someone, so only leave it in the care of someone that will spend this time with your dog. Too much alone time without you, and your dog may end up having even more anxiety.
Give Your Dog Anti-Anxiety Medication
If your dog has anxiety over loud noises, you should give your dog anti-anxiety medication. It can be difficult to shield your dog from the loud noises associated with fireworks or thunderstorms. Talk to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication that you can safely give to your dog during these times.
If your dog has anxiety, it can be difficult to have to deal with. Help your dog by talking to a veterinarian about things that you can do to ease your dog's anxiety.